Life is just a fantasy, can you live this fantasy life?
Some players are must starts (Aaron Rodgers, Alvin Kamara, and Rob Gronkowski, to name a few), but here we work to give you value and over-performers, depending on what type of fantasy format you are playing. At this point we are breaking up start/sit for Thursday and Sunday/Monday games. We apologize to those who must have complete lineups in by Thursday’s game.
Matt Phillips is a multiple fantasy football champion, and co-host of the podcast “Pigskin Dynasty: Your Podcast for All Things Fantasy Football”. You can find him on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Podbean, and other podcast mediums. He also has live episodes on Facebook every Sunday morning at 9:00 am EST.
Well, Matt and I split on our start/sit conflict from Thursday. In the battle of the Williams’, Damien’s two touchdowns proved me wrong, and Tyrell’s drops hurt Matt. Sunday’s matchups offer a much cleaner look at your start/sit options. A few injuries may have you looking for coverage. If you listened to Matt, maybe you started Damien instead of Melvin Gordon. James Connor is another player down, and many others will have you watching their respective teams list of players out for the day.
Hopefully you only started the studs in both of last nights games.
START
QB Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
Even exiting from the game last week he still managed close to 20 points. Now in a must win showdown against the Patriots I expect one of those Big Ben games. This is a shootout!
Projection: 334 yards passing with 5 touchdowns and 1 interception
QB Andrew Luck, Colts
Don’t get silly here in the playoffs. Luck IS a stud and has been liking it all year. The Cowboys defense is good, but they have given up at least 18 fantasy points on the road and Luck is a beast at home (around 25 points in last five home games). Must start.
Projection: 252 yards passing with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception
QB Tom Brady, Patriots
Reliable but not delivering the numbers he once did, Tom has not been a must start this year. He hasn’t really been they guy you thought, but he came back into form last week for three touchdowns to have his team lose because Gronk can’t tackle! They need to win to have a good seed and this game has shootout written all over it.
Projection: 352 yards passing with 4 touchdowns
RB Doug Martin, Raiders
He has been dominating the backfield touches and has been scoring touchdowns!! The Bengals rushing defense has been poor during the second half of season, giving up the 5th most points in that time. I’ll start him as a flex for the playoffs
Projection: 15 total touches with 84 yards and 1 touchdown.
RB Derrick Henry, Titans
Call me crazy, but I’m starting him. After his career day last week, I think he has flex potential against the Giants. They’ve surrendered 10 rushing touchdowns and the 8th most points to running backs.
Projection: 65 yards rushing, 1 touchdown with 3 receptions for 22 yards
WR Josh Gordon, Patriots
I have been advocating that the Steelers/Patriots matchup will be a shoot out, and Josh Gordon’s ceiling is so high. This could be easily one of those ridiculous number games for Josh Gordon. I’m going bold in my Projection.
Projection: 6 receptions for 75 yards and 2 touchdowns
WR Tyler Lockett, Seahawks
He posted a dud last week only dropping 42 yards, but the 49ers are a nice matchup. They have yielde 20 touchdowns and the 8th most points to the position.
Projection: 6 receptions for 75 yards and 1 touchdown
TE CJ Uzomah, Bengals
Match up start right here! The Raiders are giving up the most points to the position so if you are in a bind ride him out.
Projection: 5 receptions for 41 yards and 1 touchdown
TE Austin Hooper, Falcons
It’s like putting your finger in the wind and predicting the weather. He hasn’t been hot as of late but I think that might change this week against the Cardinals. He is top five in targets since the half so the opportunities are there. I’ll roll with him in a thin position.
Projection: 6 receptions for 61 yards and 1 touchdown
Baltimore Ravens Defense
Trust a Ravens defense in the throes of a playoff run to manage Tampa Bay with consistency questions on the offensive side of the ball, especially with DeSean Jackson out. See my Sit list for greater detail.
Projection: 14 points allowed with 3 turnovers and 4 sacks
K Ryan Succop, Titans
The Giants have given up the most conversions the season. I suspect a great bounce back week for Succup. He is my streamer kicker of choice.
Projection: 3 for 3 on field goals and 2 for 2 on extra points
SIT
QB Jameis Winston, Bucs
Quarterbacks don’t farewell against the Baltimore Ravens, averaging a QB rating of 76.5 when they play in Baltimore. They held Mahomes relatively in check last week. I’ll fade on him this week
Projection: 230 total yards passing with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions
QB Matt Stafford, Lions
Being a return offender on the sit list, Matthew Stafford has failed to reach 16 fantasy points in each of us last six games. At this point he’s not worth starting in any format.
Projection: 252 yards passing with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions
QB Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins
He has been really good since coming back from his injury, unfortunately the Dolphins match up against the Minnesota Vikings is not appealing. The Vikings have only allowed four passing touchdowns when they’re playing at home. Tannehill could have a hard time getting points.
Projection: 279 yards passing with 1 touchdown and 1 interception
RB Sony Michel, Patriots
I think Bill hates fantasy football. James Devlin touchdowns?! Really? His snap count has dropped with this committee. The Steelers also given up the 6th fewest fantasy points per game to opposing fantasy running backs.
Projection: 75 total yards with 3 receptions
RB Mark Ingram, Saints
He Is a touchdown dependent running back, and this week as they play the Panthers who have given up the fifth fewest points to the position. I’m not risking my chances for fantasy glory!
Projection: 65 total yards
WR Chris Godwin, Bucs
He has benefited with DJaX out,but the matchup against the Raven is so bad. They average only 22 points to the position. I’ll fade on him.
Projection: 4 receptions for 52 yards
WR Alshon Jeffery, Eagles
He bounced back last week but Nick Folesis going to be the starter with Wentz done for the year. He also faces the Rams and Aquib Talib.
Projection: 5 receptions for 45 yards
TE Trey Burton, Bears
He scored less than five points in the last five games. He is not used in this offense and I’ll fade on him until proven otherwise.
Projection: 2 receptions for 15 yards
TE Dallas Goedert, Eagles
Don’t chase the points. He is so inconsistent that it’s tough predict what will happen. With Foles at QB you have to assume a drop in his already low production, and they are playing the Rams who need a win to keep up with Saints for first seed. Sit him
Projection: 3 receptions for 35 yards
K Mason Crosby, Packers
He wasn’t supposed to have a good fantasy performance last week but he did. I wouldn’t chase the points as the Packers are playing at the Bears who are the toughest defense to go against. I’ll fade all of this week.
Projection: 1 for 1 on field goals and 1 for 1 on extra points
Dallas Cowboys Defense
Andrew Luck has been hot especially at home. I have a feeling if the Cowboys win this game it will be via the offense.
Projection: 24 points allowed with 2 turnovers and 3 sacks
This post first appeared on Big Cat Country, A Jacksonville Jaguars Community, please read the originial post: here
